Team profile: Mumbai Indians

The one thing that was a surety when the concept of icon players was announced, before the start of the IPL, was that Sachin Tendulkar would be the skipper of the Mumbai franchise. However few would have predicted a poor run for the Reliance Industries owned franchise in the first two editions of the competition. Then the costliest team in the competition, they had a bevy of exciting international stars in the side - Harbhajan Singh, Shaun Pollock, Sanath Jayasuriya and Malinga and Jonty Rhodes as their fielding coach. Despite that, Mumbai failed to get the right combination in the first two years. The team remained in the news for their indifferent performance on the field, and thanks to Slapgate, off the field as well. After Sachin's injury and Harbhajan's ban, Pollock led the side admirably, but even a six match winning streak did not yield a semi-final slot. The showing in the next edition was even worse as they managed to win only 5 games and finished 7th overall. But as they say, when the worst is behind you, it's time for the best.

The administration made a few changes, one of which was to induct Robin Singh as the head coach, and successfully bid for the explosive all-rounder Kieron Pollard. Chucking off their reliance on foreigners, they realized the importance of domestic talent and signed on ex-ICL player Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary, a hard hitting batsman in the mould of Dhoni. The perfect mix of youthful exuberance with the experience of Sachin and Harbhajan culminated into a masterly showing and before the end of the league phase, Mumbai had already qualified for the semi-finals. They might have lost the final against Chennai, but clearly, they were the best team on display through the tournament. With the addition of Rohit Sharma in their ranks, the team packed a punch in the 4th edition too, but stuttered at the end and it took a Gayle storm to stop them from getting to a second final in the row.

Mumbai have been the busiest side in the off-season and auction with players like Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha, RP Singh and Herschelle Gibbs joining the squad. The variety in their line-up is such that they have the fire-power to field two competent playing XIs. The latest team news has been that Sachin Tendulkar has relinquished his captaincy and Harbhajan Singh, who led the side to victory in the Champions League in 2011, will take over the reins. In a nut-shell, this might be the season where Mumbai's dreams come true.

STRENGTHSRedoubtable top order: The team think-tank have always preferred explosive batsmen in the top order and hence, it was no surprise when recent T20 centurion, South African opener Richard Levi, was snapped up. Ambati Rayudu has found fame batting at number 3 for Mumbai, and the dangerous top order will surely be a worry for the opponents. Pollard and Sharma will be joined by Karthik and Suryakumar Yadav, power-hitters who have had a great run in the domestic season this year. The bowling has been bolstered by the entry of tearaway quick Mitchell Johnson and left arm spinner Robin Peterson, while young seamer Dhawal Kulkarni will be eager to catch the eye of the selectors.

WEAKNESSESTeam combination, once again: While going on a signing spree, it seems like the management looked more at the reputation of the player than the role he would perform. Mumbai currently have no less than five batsmen who can partner Sachin at the start: Davy Jacobs, Gibbs, Richard Levi, Aiden Blizzard and Tirumalasetti Suman. If one of Sharma, Karthik and Pollard were to be injured or out of form, the bench does not have any recognized middle order batsmen. Another worry will be the over-dependence of the bowling attack on Malinga and Harbhajan. Names like Munaf Patel and RP Singh will have to step up and guide the youngsters in the pack.

STAR PLAYERThere is no question of any other star in a side which has Sachin Tendulkar. He has just gifted away his captaincy to Harbhajan and with the 100th International hundred in the bag, he is expected to play with abandon. A carefree Tendulkar is the one that bowlers and skippers world over dread seeing on the cricket field.

PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FORHarbhajan Singh: It has been a while since the Turbanator was seen in national colors. His performance in the domestic ODI and T20 tournament hasn't exactly been eye-catching, but given his ability to bounce back in trying circumstances, Harbhajan will be the player to watch out for. Moreover, he has proved to be a calm skipper while leading the side to victory in the Champions League and that confidence will surely work wonders for his bowling. At the back of his mind, Harbhajan will know that an improved showing in the IPL might well bring him back on the India team sheet.

TEAM NEWSThissara Perera was injured during the CB series and will be out of action. Apart from that, most of the foreign players are ones who are either not in reckoning for their sides, or have retired from international cricket.

NEW ADDITIONS

Pragyan Ojha, Dinesh Karthik, Herschelle Gibbs, Mitchell Johnson, Richard Levi, RP Singh. One big name out of the side was Andrew Symonds who announced his retirement.